INEC to pay helmsmen, drivers 50% agreed fees for smooth conduct of Anambra guber poll

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Saturday, said they would be mobilising drivers and helmsmen with 50% agreed fees before the election for smooth transportation and conduct of Anambra State November 8 gubernatorial poll.

The INEC National Commissioner Supervising Anambra State and Chairman of Tenders Board Committee, Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, who disclosed this at an interaction with journalists in Awka after a delegation of four, including himself had monitored the mock election exercise held in Anambra and expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness demonstrated by INEC officials and commended the positive feedback from the voters.

Ukeagu explained that helmsmen would be transporting sensitive materials, ad-hoc staff and security men through boats at riverine areas, while drivers would be utilised at other places.

According to him, the commission had met with the relevant stakeholders and settled on how to pay them the remaining 50% fees at the end of the exercise, even as they assured their readiness to participate actively.

"We have made arrangements for vehicles and boats to convey our staff and materials to the respective polling units. The drivers and helmsmen have shown their readiness to fulfil the memorandum of understanding signed. We are not going to compromise on anything on the election day.

"The sensitive materials have been produced but can only be delivered to respective polling units as required by law. We are ready. All the non-sensitive materials have been delivered to 21 Local Government Areas. PVC collection is still ongoing. We will make the environment conducive for everyone to vote and their votes will count," he added.

According to him, the 24000 staff already trained and security agents with the transporters would be at respective polling units as at 7am before arrival of voters.

"Anambra State has 5720 polling units. We are expecting election results from 5718 polling units. But there will be no election or results from 2 polling units because no registered voters are allocated to them. We have engaged with relevant stakeholders. There will be greater improvement in this election," he added.

“We are 99% ready for conduct of Anambra State governorship poll. We have upgraded our BVAS. They are working optimally. The only remaining task is to move our staff and materials to the polling units. We have met with relevant stakeholders and concluded our plans.

"The drivers will be paid 50% mobilisation fees by next week as agreed and 50% after the exercise. Provisions have been made for hiring boats where necessary, so in terms of logistics, we are ready. The PVC collection is ongoing in all designated centers and will come to an end on Sunday,” he stated.

Also speaking, the INEC National Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, announced that 540 media personnel would receive their tags for adequate protection in the election, while urging them to assist the commission in sensitising the electorate on peaceful conduct throughout the exercise as their votes would count.